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Arqaam Capital announces winner of the MENA Investment Challenge

Wednesday, May 04, 2011

Arqaam Capital, the emerging markets' investment bank, today
announced the winner of a competition set for undergraduate and
graduate students enrolled in the recently launched finance
colloquium at the Al Akhawayn University School of Business
Administration in Ifrane, Morocco. Nada Lahrech was awarded first
prize in Arqaam's MENA Investment Challenge.

After attending a three-day colloquium taught by Arqaam staff at
Al Akhawayn campus, the students were asked to choose a company
listed on one of the major MENA exchanges and present an investment
case, with their recommendation and supporting rationale. In their
rationale, they were asked to consider the risk factors affecting
the company and consider a number of different performance outcomes
depending on various scenarios. Twelve students presented their
findings to Arqaam Capital's investment committee who awarded Nada
Lahrech the first prize. Nada was presented with a certificate and
will attend a six week internship in Arqaam Capital's head office
in Dubai.

The Arqaam MENA Investment Challenge was specially designed to
equip students in the Arab world with practical skills to increase
their employment prospects, focusing on regional equity and credit
markets, derivatives, interest rates, and financial risk
management.

Riad Meliti, CEO, Arqaam Capital commented,

"The inaugural investment challenge has been a great success and
we have been very impressed by the excellent quality of the work
produced by the students. Al Akhawayn University has an established
reputation for producing first class graduates, and this was one of
the reasons we decided to launch our business initiative here. The
very high quality made selecting the winner a difficult decision
and all the students should be commended on their efforts. My
congratulations go to Nada and we look forward to welcoming her to
Arqaam's offices for the internship programme this summer."

Al Akhawayn University President Driss Ouaouicha said,

"The course has been extremely well received by our students and
a six-week internship is an excellent incentive and a wonderful
opportunity for students to put their knowledge into practice. We
look forward to continuing our work with Arqaam Capital in
advancing our students' ability to explore the many opportunities
in global finance, economics, and business."

Following the success at Al Akhawayn University, Arqaam Capital
is exploring opportunities with other top universities in the MENA
region where similar initiatives may be implemented.